No Dhimmi: This is your current impression of Islam, and I can offer you 3 guarantees from reading the book:

1- You will realise how the Muslims have misunderstood Islam in major ways

2- You will change your impression of Islam for the positive

3- Even if you continue to disagree with some Islamic beliefs or practices, you will be able to make use of some of Islam’s teachings that you were not exposed to before

Give it up, and maybe we can all live in peace.

تستاهل كل خير

Dear Abu Junayd,

Assalamu alaikum,

Thank you very much for your advice and concern. Your comment isn’t rude in the least, and it is a concern I expect many Muslims to have about such a book.

To rely on scholars for the understanding of our religion is an approach many Muslims take, since it makes more sense to turn to those with greater exposure to Islamic sources than those who have only read the Holy Koran casually.

However, there is a lot more involved in this matter than meets the eye. For example, on what basis did you consider the scholars of Ahl as-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah to be an authority, and dismissed the scholars of other sects? And if there are disputes amongst the scholars you accept as an authority, how can you, as a layman, determine which of the scholars is correct?

I don’t think that, simply because I am not studying under a scholar, I will open the door for everyone to write a book on Islam. Anyone *can* already write a book, but it is the strength of its arguments that determines whether it presents a correct understanding of Islam or not.

I will deal with the issue of credentials in greater depth, and I sincerely hope that you can point out to me the weaknesses in my arguments so that I can review them, and refine my thinking. You will get a clearer picture of my approach once I begin my actual take on the subject.

I look forward to your feedback in this project

If I came off as rude, know that I did not intend to. Wafaqakallaah,